“...for [Travis] he is dead,

And we must earn therefore.”

(Shakespeare, Henry V, II.iii)

 

 It is with a truly heavy heart that I open this rich and fecund issue of the Eugene O'Neill Review (starring sixteen top-notch papers from the May 1995 conference on “O'Neill's People” at Suffolk University), since, as those of you who traditionally turn to the news notes first already know, O'Neill studies—indeed, the whole vast O'Neill community—have lost a giant.  In his unsurpassed assessments of O'Neill's life and oeuvre, in his loving compilation of all the songs cited or alluded to in the plays, in his pioneering lead in the establishment of the foundation that guards the great dramatist's west coast shrine, Tao House, and in his charm, infectious wit and gallantry at all times, Travis Bogard was a giant, one who still lives in the rich legacy he has bequeathed us all.

 

Travis touched everyone he came in contact with.  And I'm sure that at midday on Sunday, October 19th at Monte Cristo Cottage, many of us will be hankering to share and swap anecdotes and reminiscences, as our west coast confreres assuredly did in Berkeley on May 22nd, at a ceremony beautifully organized by Diane Schinnerer and Lois Sizoo.  (For details call MCC at 860-443-0051.)

 

Scholars will have much to say, hereafter, about Travis's marvelous exegeses, and his equally important spadework—in the showshop as much as the classroom and library.  But what I thought most worthy of sharing immediately are the words to and about him by two of his major pals in the theatre, Jason Robards and José Quintero.  The authors and the O'Neill Foundation-Tao House have kindly permitted those remarks to be printed here.  (If only Colleen were represented too, the circle would truly be complete.  But I'm sure I detect hearty huzzahs from the beyond!)

 

Well, I'll be making my own goodbyes nearer this issue's end, so I will quickly hand over the mike to two of Travis's fellow giants.

 

—FCW

*          *          *          *          *

Dear Travis,

 

When you bump into Eugene O'Neill, please thank him for all of us here who have shared his great gifts.  We know that he will love and appreciate all that you have given to him and Tao House.

 

There are certain people who extend so much of themselves that they are always with us.  Like O'Neill, you are one of those, and will be with us and ours for all time.

 

Please ask Gene (we know you are on first-name terms by now) to wind up “Rosie” and play “The Sunshine of Paradise Alley.”  If you both sing it loud enough, we will all be in Paradise with you.

 

All our love,

Jason and Lois Robards

 

 

For Travis.

 

How impossible it is to think of a world without Travis Bogard.  So impossible is the notion, that I will erase it from my mind and continue to feel his creative warmth, his sharp wit, and the joy of his knowledge and wisdom.  It is very rare and something of a miracle to meet a man of the caliber of Travis Bogard; and having found one, I am not that much of a fool to let him go.

 

Didn't Travis dedicate his lifetime to keep Eugene O'Neill and O'Neill's genius alive for our generation and all the ones to come, until the end of time?

 

He served his friend—for if Eugene O'Neill had a friend in this world, it was Travis Bogard—by tracing the magnitude of his genius, with the sharpest of insight, encompassing honesty, and wealth and quality of respect and admiration, which deserves to be classified as true and pure love.

 

The next time I find myself in Danville, Travis, to my profound delight, will take me for a visit to Tao House, where I know that these two great souls continue their endless dialogue.

 

José Quintero